lincomycin (hydrochloride; Lincocin)

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

GENERIC NAME: Lincomycin hydrochloride

BRAND NAME: Lincocin

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Lincomycin is an injectable man-made antibiotic.
Lincomycin kills bacteria by interfering with the ability of bacteria to produce
important proteins necessary for them to survive. Lincomycin is effective
against many types of bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus
pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Propionibacterium acnes, and others. The FDA approved
lincomycin in December 1964.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No

PREPARATIONS: Lincomycin is available in 300mg/ml sterile, injection form. It
is available in 2 ml and 10 ml vials used for intramuscular and intravenous
administration.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Lincomycin is used for treating serious bacterial infections
caused by susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci.
Use of lincomycin is reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or when
penicillin-based treatment is not appropriate. This antibiotic should only be
used to treat serious infections because of rare but sometimes fatal intestinal
problems have occurred (pseudomembranous colitis).

DOSING:

Intramuscular

Adults: Inject 600 mg every 24 hours. May use 600 mg every 12 hours or more
often for severe infections, if needed.

Pediatric patients of 1 month of age and older: Inject 10 mg/kg every 24
hours. May use 10 mg/kg every 12 hours or more often for severe infections, if
needed.

IV

Adults: Administer 600 mg to 1000 mg every 8 to 12 hours. May increase doses
for more severe infections, but the maximum daily dose of 8000 mg of lincomycin
is recommended; higher rates and doses have been associated with severe
cardiopulmonary reactions.

Pediatric patients of 1 month of age and older: Administer 10 to 20 mg/kg/day
in divided doses over 8 to 12 hours.